January 1994
Region 1 - John Flay
THE KING AND I
St. Luke's Entertainment Society - Salford
Directors: Glenys Brady and Alan Gay
Choreography: Glenys Brady
This society presented a very charming production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein evergreen. The directors worked closely with their principals which resulted in very natural performances. Paul Whittle (King) and Jackie Beaumont (Anna) were so convincing; their Shall We Dance was so moving that the barriers that hindered their friendship really came down. Newcomer Martina Maher in her first role as Tuptim showed great promise. Her rendition of Uncle Tom's Cabin was excellent. All too easily this can slip into "shopping list" dialogue. The difficult ballet was executed by children and worked extremely well. Thank you, St. Luke's, for a very enjoyable evening.
OLIVER!
Holy Rood Church Stage Society - Worsley
Director: Paula Lee
Choreographer: Shirley Hyde
Musical Director: Eileen Darlington
This was my first visit to this society where, unfortunately, only the director introduced herself to me. I was impressed by the venue which to me, is better than most civic theatres. Oliver is a show that is always well received and, naturally, well patronised. The roles of the Artful Dodger and Oliver were played by Richard Smith and Peter Tatnall who gave strong interpretations. I enjoyed the performance of Corinne Spence as Nancy - she was a pleasure to watch. All the children were excellent and, as expected, won the hearts of the audience.
The show was well received and I look forward to seeing your next one.
DAISY PULLS IT OFF
Prestwich A.D. & O.S.
Director: Chris Unsworth
Once again we were treated to a very high standard production. This time it was Denise Deegan's Daisy Pulls It Off. From entering the theatre the theme was set by the cast members mixing with the audience - it resembled a school parent's evening. The play was directed by that fine actor Chris Ainsworth who's eye for detail and style were in great evidence. The cast were so well balanced. Jane Murphy as the scholarship winner Daisy Meredith really was Daisy while Trixi Martin, played by Monica Ogden was "jolly utter". In fact, this production was like watching a female Greyfriars (without Billy Bunter).
The set was excellent, simple but very effective.
Congratulations PADOS, on another successful play.
CAROUSEL
South Trafford Operatic Society
Director:- Paula Finn
Musical Director:- Paul Malcolm
Choreographer:- Jane Pantoja
This was the director's first production, the challenge of which she met head on. A little more time should have been spent on chorus work as they were too static. This was a large cast, and because of difficulties with the stage, mass entrances and exits were awkward, making life difficult for the stage manager and crew. More preparation work from the director could perhaps have eased this problem.
There was a first class set of principals. Norma Collins gave a positive performance as Carrie Pipperidge. Marjorie Carmen's rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone was very moving. Nick Whalley was an excellent Mr. Snow and Robert Willcock was quite evil as Jigger Craigin.
The well contrived sets were beautifully managed - costumes and props too.
A nice, enjoyable production.
DIE FLEDERMAUS
Sale Operatic Society
Director:- Peter Clough
Musical Director: Janet Archer
This version for amateurs of Die Fledermaus uses the chorus where the original only uses them in the Act II ball scene. Audiences are hooked on the well known Strauss melodies including 'Brother Mine' and 'The Laughing Song'. This society gave us quality singing, strong actors and good comics who all carried the complicated plot. Performances of note came from Christine Adams (Rosalinda), Chris Wilson (Doctor Falke), Tony Rostron (Alfred) and George Hulbert, who stood in for the role of Eisenstein at the dress rehearsal, and was so at ease on stage that the audience forgot he was using a libretto. Once again, Homberg's Viennese costumes look impressive and very correct. The production kept the cast mobile but, unfortunately, the lighting was ordinary, not enhancing the scenes as much as it might.
The orchestra was up to the high standard that the society is used to.
It was altogether a most satisfying evening.
TRIAL BY JURY & H.M.S. PINAFORE
South Manchester AOS
Director: Rodney Ashman
Musical Director: Moira Nixon
Number two and three chronologically in the Savoy repertoire (and the centenary year (1993) of another Savoy opera, Utopia Ltd.). For Trial By Jury Robert Hart designed a more colourful set than the usual drab courtroom. Once again, Jenny Heap was in fine voice, this time as the Plaintiff. John Patchett was in the Gilbert & Sullivan style as Council for the Plaintiff.
H.M.S. Pinafore is the most important Savoy Opera, for, had it not been a success, there would not have been a Savoy Theatre or Savoy Hotel - or a Mikado or a Gondoliers. The set design for this one set operetta was not thought out as usual as it makes exits and entrances very difficult. There were good performances from Sir Joseph Porter (Bill Lawson), Dick Deadeye (Peter Corbishley) and Josephine (Sarah Amer).
The director kept this production in traditional style and, I have to admit, I am a traditionalist. The musical director was a little too careful, which made her tempi a little slow at times. There was some good chorus singing. The enthusiastic applause was a fitting tribute.
GUYS AND DOLLS
Worsley Opera Group
Producer: - Dave Bamforth
Musical Director:- Trevor Brooks
Choreographer: - Jean Jones
As I have said before, this is not an easy show for amateurs - it needs good timing, slickness and pace. To achieve this the producer surrounded himself with an experienced company. Ann Robinson as Adelaide gave a good character study. Frank Loesser's eccentricities were Runyonesque. With Adelaide's Lament, which Loesser originally wrote lyrics for a stripper with a cold, he later made the cold psychosomatic. (Loesser used songs to examine character - not events). Graham Day as Nathan Detroit was in true Damon Runyon style.
This society worked on a budget with this show and scenery was spares although, on the whole, this did not detract from the action. Colour was given by the fabulous costumes made by Dorothy Bradley. The orchestra was in very capable hands and produced a good sound, a little loud at times, but this, in the main, was the fault of the venue.
It was a most uplifting evening.
HELLO, DOLLY!
Urmston A.O.S.
Director: Mike Donohue
Musical Director: John Crosdale
Choreographer: Muriel Coakley.
One song made this show a hit on Broadway and in London. Following in the footsteps of many famous Dollys comes Ann Chandler who acted and sang the part as well as any stars who have come to be recognised with the role. John Pinfield as Horace Vandergelder showed us more sides to the character than have been seen before. Thoughtful performances came from Sally Wild (Minnie), Robert Etherington (Cornelius) and Matthew Dearsley (Barnaby. The production was smooth running and well rehearsed. Scenery by James Fredericks of Weston-super-Mare was excellent and worked very well for the venue (which has its difficulties for standard scenery). Likewise Howorth Wrightson props and furniture were also excellent. A very enjoyable, colourful show.